title: Long-term safety and tolerability of epoetin zeta, administered intravenously, for maintenance treatment of renal anemia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this trial was to gather data on the long-term safety of a new erythropoietin preparation (epoetin zeta), focusing on the formation of anti-erythropoietin antibodies, when administered intravenously for maintenance of target hemoglobin concentration in anemic patients with end-stage renal failure receiving chronic hemodialysis. In addition, we aimed to provide information on the efficacy of epoetin zeta under open, noncontrolled conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients received epoetin zeta intravenously, 1-3 times/week for 56 weeks (overall patient group, n=745) or 108 weeks (Bulgarian subgroup, n=164). The aim of treatment was to maintain hemoglobin values between 10.5 and 12.5 g/dL with constant epoetin dosage. Primary (safety) endpoints were the occurrence of anti-erythropoietin antibodies and the evaluation of adverse events (AEs). Secondary (efficacy) endpoints included the mean weekly dose of epoetin per kg of body weight and mean hemoglobin concentrations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No patients developed neutralizing anti-erythropoietin antibodies. The most commonly reported AEs were infections and infestations (34.1%); followed by injury, poisoning, and procedural complications (25.8%); and gastrointestinal disorders (21.9%); 37.3% of patients reported serious AEs. The hemoglobin values remained stable, with mean values after 56 weeks of 11.3-11.6 g/dL for the overall group and 11.1-11.6 g/dL for the Bulgarian subgroup. The dosage of epoetin zeta was stable throughout the course of the trial. No cases of lack of (or loss of ) efficacy were observed in the course of the trial.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The evaluation of the primary endpoints provided data supporting the intravenous administration of epoetin zeta in patients with chronic renal failure. Neutralizing antibodies against erythropoietin were not detected, and there were no reports of patients with increasing erythropoietin resistance. Our results suggest that intravenous administration of epoetin zeta is effective regarding its ability to maintain stabilized hemoglobin levels within the target range of 10.5-12.5 g/dL.
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine, Clinic IV, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Conrad
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baldamus
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Krivoshiev
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wolf-Pflugmann
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Siebert-Weigel
authors.forename: Rossen
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Koytchev
authors.forename: Angelika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bronn
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006397:Hematinics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006454:Hemoglobins; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D006435:Renal Dialysis
chemical_list: D006397:Hematinics; D006454:Hemoglobins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C103998:epoetin beta; C530192:epoetin zeta; D004921:Erythropoietin; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa